This post won't be too interesting to any of the blog's followers, but I've been meaning on putting up a packing list for any other student going through the CIEE Dakar program, in case, like me, they did a pre-departure Google search of what they should bring. The following is both what I found useful, what I found unuseful, and what I wish I would have brought:
Things I was particularly glad to have brought:
1. Moisture wicking underwear. Most items will not be listed in order of importance, THESE being the exception. Through months of hand washing my lingerie in the shower, I can’t say enough about this magical comfy, fast-drying, durable underwear. (Mine were Isis brand.)
2. REI quick-dry towel. Fast-drying, highly absorbent, and impressively compact.
3. Flashlight. Infinite electricity outages made my flashlight one of the most vital items in my suitcase.
4. Books. There was a packing debate pre-departure on whether their weight was worth their place in my suitcase. Granted, I’m a bit of a bookworm, but lots of down time in a slow culture meant lots of great lit was oft taken advantage of, and I just left the copies I had read in the school library.
5. Travel alarm clock. These run on batteries that don’t need to be charged, unlike phones whose ability to power on and therefore wake you up on time for class necessitates reliable electricity, something not too available in Senegal.
6. Art supplies. I didn’t get a TON of use out of these, but still appreciated having paints and colored pencils along for the moments I did use them as a form of journaling. Also, it made me very popular with kids to have bright colors and white paper – a bit of a rarity to a lot of them.
7. Lonely Planet guidebook. Battered, worn, discolored and torn, it came with me on all of my travel excursions; and, even the days I left it behind in order to figure things out “for myself,” it seems like all of the best stops were indeed those listed in my Lonely Planet.
Things I brought but didn’t need:
1. Steripen. At the advice of a former student, I bought a portable water sterilizer. How many times did I use it? 0. It’s still in the package.
2. Keens/Chacos/Tevas. Granted, I didn’t bring all three of those. But while that general Peace Corps concept of heavy-duty sandals in third-world terrain may be logical for a member of the Peace Corps, I was not part of the Peace Corps and these shoes didn’t get any usage – I stuck out enough as a white American, and those would have been the clincher. I wore my nice leather sandals and my Old Navy flip-flops everywhere.
3. Hair dryer. I used it probably twice throughout my entire trip. It’s just too hot there to justify making yourself even hotter in order to have dry hair… which frankly, doesn’t even dry, because by the time it should be you’re too sweaty yourself.
4. Mosquito Net. I did use the one I brought, but it would have been cheaper/less hassle just to buy one at any of the pharmacies after I had arrived.
Things I didn’t bring, but wish I had:
1. More nice clothes. Before I left, I was thinking: Senegal = Hot, sweaty, dirty, dusty = Ultimate basics in comfort and zero style. Granted, Senegalese men think American girls are beautiful no matter HOW shabby or sweaty your clothes. But those Senegalese ladies do dress up pretty classily, and I was no competition for them.
2. A pocketknife. It would have come in handy SO many times and I’d always regret not having one. (Remember to pack it on your CHECKED baggage - don't get blacklisted like my brother who walked through security with my knife... also why I no longer have one.)
3. Anti-perspirant. I am a fan of Tom’s of Maine Deodorant, partly because I like the lavender scent, partly because I like the all-natural, aluminum-free quality of the product. HOWEVER. I admit that in 95+˚ weather and humidity, I’ll take the non-scientifically proven cancer-inducing status of aluminum in order to maintain a slightly less powerful odor.
4. Notebooks. I figured this is something I could just pick up when I got here; it was, and I did, but it would have been less hassle to just bring my own.
5. A protector for my computer. A mere month into my stay, my MacBook’s logic board was corroded by the intense humidity. I was computer-less for the rest of my semester, and $280 in debt to Apple Corp on my return.
6. A pillow. I got used to sleeping without one, and not all students were in the pillowless situation I was in, but it still would have been welcomed.
Final Efficient Packing List to add to the above-mentioned items:
CLOTHES
Tee-shirts: 3-4
Tank tops: 6-10, or as many as you can roll into your suitcase (they don’t take up much room!)
Long-sleeved tops: 1
Sweaters/cardigans: 1
Sweatshirts: 1
Comfy, every-day pants: 2-4
Sweat pants/leggings (for around the house): 1
Nice jeans: 1
Nice pants: 1
Shorts: 0
Skirts: 2-3 (so long as it's not skankily short, any length will do! If you want to be safe, though - let not thine knees be shown.)
Everyday dresses: 1-2 (recommended at least one maxi skirt or dress, in case you visit any holy sites that require more modest dress)
Going-out dresses: 1-2 (doesn’t need to be knee length here!)
Swimsuit: 1 (bikinis are okay!)
Beach covering: 1 (I found it handy, anyway)
PJs: 3 (1 shorts + 1 light pants + 1 warmer pants)
Large, lightweight scarves: 1
Headscarves/headbands: 1-2 (good for keeping hair out of your sweaty face)
Belts: 2-3
SHOES
“Nice”/comfy sandals: 1
Flip-flops: 1-2
Sneakers: 1
Dress shoes: 1 (heels or flats, although with all the sand I liked flats much better)
COSMETICS
Honestly, I RARELY used make-up here – I was far too sweaty for it to look good or be practical. I only ever used it for going out, although I was glad to have it then.
My flat iron I used probably three times total, my hair dryer not at all.
I would, however, recommend jewelry, as long as it’s not terribly nice. I enjoyed being able to dress up outfits, especially since I was wearing the same things every single day.
Perfume
Deoderant
Razors
Extra contacts
Contact solution/cases
And lots of hair ties and bobby pins!
Everything else – shampoo, soap, toothpaste, hygienics, etc. – can all be easily and cheaply bought in Senegal
MEDICAL
Vitamins
Tylenol/Aspirin/Ibuprofen
PeptoBismal
Anti-diarrhea
Laxatives
Antiseptic cream
Sunscreen (30-50spf: You’re on the equator, afterall!)
Bugspray: Granted, I spent almost every evening outside, but went through almost two cans of OFF
Bandaids
Your malaria meds!
OTHER
Rain gear
Rain gear
Souvenirs for your host family/Senegalese friends (postcards, food items [I brought candy, maple syrup and wild rice, all hits,] coloring materials for kids, photographs, jewelry, candles, tea, mugs… these all proved to be popular)
Cards
Books
Camera (and accessories – charger, USB, extra memory cards)
Backpack
Water bottle
Soap holder
Laundry bag
MP3/headphones/well-stocked iTunes repertoire for music
sharing
Flash drive
Purse/wallet
Glasses
Glue stick and scissors (I always find them useful, anyway!)
French dictionary
Journal
Pencils/pens
Envelopes (Not the lick-adhesive… the humidity sealed all
that I brought. Get the sticker ones.)
Extra treat: Starbucks VIA (After Nescafé and dry milk and loads of Café
Touba, a little instant Starbucks at the end of a long day can't be beat=)
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| Or, you could of course just skip the packing and get all of your clothes made in matching fabric with everyone else. |
